Italians in Canada should vote against water privatization in referendum

Government trying to "delay, deny, and destroy the will of citizens" by blocking referendum.

by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)

On June 12 and 13, Italians all over the world will vote in a national referendum to block the privatization of water in Italy. CUPE is urging all Italian citizens living in Canada to vote in the referendum and help stop the privatization of Italy's water services.

The referendum includes four demands — two on whether to allow water privatization, one on whether to allow new nuclear energy development, and one on whether there should be legal impunity for Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and his top officials.

More than 3.5 million Italian expatriates around the world have the right to vote in this referendum. The referendum will only have effect if more than 50 percent of the total electorate cast their ballot and if the majority of eligible voters support the referendum proposals.

According to Public Services International, a global union of public workers in 148 countries of which CUPE is part, the Berlusconi government is trying to block this referendum. "It is trying to delay, deny, and destroy the will of the citizens. Although it appears as if the referendum will proceed, the government is using its influence to ensure a media blackout to discourage people from voting in the majority required."